<p>I used a personal anecdote... and I got a 12 both times i took the SATs. Also remember a developed closing is NOT needed... one or two sentences that restate the main idea is fine and WILL NOT lower your score. Also, the essay doesnt have to sound nice... as long as its organized and follows the rubric.</p>
<p>^^</p>
<p>ya, 1 or 2 sent comp is what mine is right now</p>
<p>I got an 11 and I only had one example that I developed over the two pages. I think that if you can think of one example that has different facets that apply to the situation (which is most likely in a book), your essay flows better.</p>
<p>this really helps thanks</p>
<p>to ppl who got 12 or 11: do you spend the bulk of your paragraph describing your example, then only spend like 1-3 sentences at the beginning and end saying how it is relavent?</p>
<p>I got an 11 on my essay, so maybe I am qualified to make a few comments here.</p>
<p>Use the 1-2-3 block paragraph format. Or use 5 paragraphs (1 for intor, 1 for conclusion and 3 for body). Each body must be one main idea. Try for at least 2 if you can't get 3. I know this all sounds elementary but it helps. Get your topic sentence and then go into a little detail and bring it to conclusion. Do that for each idea. You don't have to use those kinds of set-ups, but at least have paragraphs. Have a general start, one for each idea, and a conclusion of sorts. That is what works for me at least. </p>
<p>As for planning try to get some general idea of where you want to go. You don't neccessarily have to outline. I for one didn't. Maybe that is why I only got an 11? Either way to each his/her own.</p>
<p>Also with closing it doen't have to be perfect. Mine was only about 2-3 sentences. I simply re-stated my thesis and make some borad generalization that brought the essay full circle. Soemthing to catch the reader though. Not a boring bland thing, but a nice little quip.</p>
<p>so 11/12 ppl: how long are your intros? do you just do what I do, state thesis, have one sentence thats kinda generalizes the thesis, and then state the eg's that ur gonna use?</p>